Ali ibn Abi Talib Biography, Children, Achievements & Death
He was a companion of Ali ibn Abi Talib, the cousin of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Ali’s mother was Fatimah bint Asad, also from the Banu Hashim clan, and the cousin of Abu Talib.
Titles and Nicknames of Ali ibn Abi Talib
Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) had the nicknames “Abu al-Hasan” and “Abu Turab.” The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) gave him these names.
The Prophet once found Ali lying in the mosque covered in dust after his cloak fell off. He affectionately brushed the dust off Ali and called him “Abu Turab,” meaning “Father of Dust.”
Birth and Upbringing of Ali ibn Abi Talib
There are different accounts about Ali’s birth year:
- Ibn Ishaq reported that Ali was born ten years before Muhammad’s prophethood, a view also supported by Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani.
- Al-Hasan Al-Basri said Ali was born fifteen or sixteen years before the prophethood.
- Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir mentioned two opinions: one matching Ibn Ishaq’s view and another saying Ali was born five years before the prophethood.
- Al-Fakihi noted that Ali was the first Hashemite born inside the Kaaba.
- Al-Hakim confirmed the belief that Ali was born in the Kaaba.
After a crisis hit the Quraysh tribe, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his uncle Abbas took care of Ali to help Abu Talib, who had many children. Abbas looked after Ja’far, and the Prophet took Ali, who later accepted Islam when the Prophet’s mission began.
READ: Uthman ibn Affan Biography, Contribution to Islam & Death
Family of Ali ibn Abi Talib
Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) had several siblings, including:
- Talib: He did not accept Islam and passed away holding his own faith. He joined the Battle of Badr reluctantly.
- Aqeel: He was captured after the Battle of Badr but later accepted Islam during the conquest of Mecca or the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah. He participated in various battles, including Mu’tah and Hunayn.
- Ja’far: A prominent companion of the Prophet, he migrated to Abyssinia twice and returned during the conquest of Khaybar. He was appointed as the commander in the Battle of Mu’tah and was martyred there at about thirty-three years old.
- Umm Hani: She accepted Islam during the conquest of Mecca. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) prayed in her house and made a special supplication.
- Jumanah: She accepted Islam and married Abu Sufyan ibn al-Harith.
These are some of Ali ibn Abi Talib’s family members.
Wives and Children of Ali ibn Abi Talib
Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) had several wives throughout his life, though not all at the same time. Here’s a summary of his wives and their children:
- From his marriage to Fatimah, the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad:
- Hasan ibn Ali
- Husayn ibn Ali
- Muhsin ibn Ali
- Zainab al-Kubra
- Umm Kulthum
- From his marriage to Umm al-Banin, daughter of Hizam al-Kilabiyyah:
- Abbas ibn Ali
- Ja’far ibn Ali
- Abdullah ibn Ali
- Uthman ibn Ali
- From his marriage to Layla, daughter of Mas’ud al-Tamimiyyah:
- Ubaydullah ibn Ali
- Abu Bakr ibn Ali
- From his marriage to Umm Habiba, daughter of Zama’ah al-Tughlabiyyah:
- Umar ibn Ali
- From his marriage to Ruqayyah, daughter of Ali ibn Abi Talib:
- Ruqayyah bint Ali
- From his marriage to Umm Sa’id, daughter of Arwa al-Thaqafiyyah:
- Umm al-Hasan
- Ramlah al-Kubra
- From his marriage to Asma, daughter of Umayyis al-Khath’amiyyah:
- Yahya ibn Ali
- Muhammad al-Asghar ibn Ali
- Awn ibn Ali
- From his marriage to Ummama, daughter of Abu al-As:
- Muhammad al-Awsat ibn Ali
- From his marriage to Khawla, daughter of Ja’far al-Hanafiyyah:
- Muhammad al-Akbar ibn Ali (also known as Muhammad ibn al-Hanafiyyah)
Embracing Islam
According to Ibn Ishaq, Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) first encountered the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) while the Prophet was praying with Lady Khadijah (may Allah be pleased with her).
The Prophet explained that their worship was a command from Allah. He offered Ali the chance to believe in his message, emphasizing Allah’s oneness and rejecting idol worship.
Ali hesitated and wanted to consult his father. The Prophet allowed Ali to either embrace Islam or keep it secret until he could declare it himself.
That night, Ali thought deeply about the message and decided to accept Islam the next day. He asked the Prophet to repeat his message, then became a Muslim but kept his faith hidden out of fear of his father.
There are different opinions on Ali’s age when he embraced Islam:
- Some say he was eight years old, as reported by Urwah.
- Others say he was fourteen, according to Jarir from al-Mughira.
- Al-Hasan ibn Zaid ibn Hasan mentioned he was nine.
- Ibn Abbas stated Ali was the first to embrace Islam but kept it secret, while others like Abu Bakr al-Siddiq openly accepted it.
These details cover Ali ibn Abi Talib’s family and his acceptance of Islam.
The Emigration of Ali ibn Abi Talib and His Role as the Prophet’s Guardian
Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) told the story of how Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) risked his life for the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
When the polytheists planned to harm the Prophet, Ali stayed in the Prophet’s bed to mislead them while the Prophet escaped to Medina.
The polytheists, thinking they had trapped the Prophet, were surprised to find Ali in his bed. They asked Ali where the Prophet was, and he said he didn’t know.
Afterward, Ali joined the Prophet in Medina three days later. He had stayed behind to return items that the Prophet had entrusted to him before leaving.
Ali ibn Abi Talib’s Military Role
Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) took part in all the Prophet Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) military campaigns except for the Battle of Tabuk, where he stayed in Medina as its guardian. Here are some key battles where Ali made notable contributions:
- Battle of Badr: Ali, around twenty years old, carried the Muslim army’s flag.
- Battle of Uhud: After Mus’ab ibn Umair (may Allah be pleased with him) was martyred, Ali took over command of the Muslim forces and defended the Prophet, despite suffering about sixteen wounds.
- Battle of Khandaq (the Trench): Ali killed Amr ibn Abd Wud, a well-known warrior.
- Battle of Banu Nadir: Ali killed Azwak, a Jewish leader.
- Battle of Banu Qurayza: Ali carried the Muslim flag and led the army.
- Siege of Khaybar: Ali led the army and helped capture Khaybar’s fortresses.
- Battle of Hunayn: Ali supported the Prophet until the battle ended.
- Treaty of Hudaybiyyah: Despite objections, Ali refused to remove “Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah” from the treaty, showing his strong faith.
Ali’s participation in these battles and his dedication to Islam made him a prominent figure in Islamic history.
The Caliphate of Ali ibn Abi Talib
Ali’s (may Allah be pleased with him) caliphate was marked by justice and commitment to Islamic principles.
He became caliph in the early thirty-fifth year of the Hijra, chosen unanimously by Muslims for his virtues and high status. His leadership focused on uniting the Muslim community and maintaining justice.
During his caliphate, the capital moved to Kufa due to changing conditions, while Medina was managed by Sahl ibn Hunayf al-Ansari. Expansion of Islamic conquests slowed, but Islam spread in Azerbaijan under Ali’s appointed governor, Ash’ath.
Ali continued implementing Islamic laws and followed Umar ibn al-Khattab’s policies, being strict with stipend distribution and limiting travel for Quraysh leaders beyond the Arabian Peninsula.
His caliphate was characterized by a focus on internal governance and justice, shaping the early history of the Islamic community.
The Status and Importance of Ali ibn Abi Talib
Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) held a special place in the heart of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Raised in the Prophet’s household, Ali was dearly loved and respected by him.
The Prophet married Ali to his daughter, Fatimah al-Zahra, and prohibited his followers from speaking negatively about Ali. He encouraged Muslims to love and support him.
Virtues of Ali ibn Abi Talib
Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) had many notable virtues:
- He was one of the ten companions promised Paradise by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
- The Prophet compared Ali’s role to that of Aaron to Moses, saying that while there was no prophet after him, Ali was like a brother to him.
- The Prophet made Ali his brother in faith, confirming the bond between the emigrants (Muhajirun) and the residents of Medina (Ansar).
- At the event of Ghadir Khumm, the Prophet declared, “Whomever I am his Mawla (master), then Ali is his Mawla.”
- Ali played a key role in the conquest of Khaybar, leading the Muslim army to victory as foretold by the Prophet.
- The Prophet prayed for Ali’s guidance when he served as a judge in Yemen.
- Ali was part of the Prophet’s purified family, chosen by Allah.
- He helped compile the Quran along with other companions.
These virtues reflect Ali’s esteemed position in the Islamic community.
Characteristics of Ali ibn Abi Talib
Physical Characteristics:
Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) was described as having a handsome face, like a full moon. He had a cheerful expression, large eyes, a thick beard, a bald head, a strong build, and was of medium height.
Moral Characteristics:
- Bravery: Ali was renowned for his courage and willingness to fight.
- Knowledge: He had deep knowledge of the Quran and Sunnah, and was known for his eloquence.
- Wisdom: Ali was known for his wisdom and fair judgment, qualities that led the Prophet to appoint him as a judge.
- Oratory Skills: His speeches were noted for their eloquence.
- Virtuous Qualities: He was pious, modest, humble, and chaste.
These traits made Ali a distinguished figure in Islamic history, both physically and morally.
The Martyrdom of Ali ibn Abi Talib and His Burial Place
Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) was aware of his impending martyrdom, as the Prophet Muhammad had informed him. The Prophet said that Ali would be struck by someone, which came true when Ibn Muljam attacked him. Ali was struck while calling people to prayer, and his blood flowed onto his beard.
Ali was martyred on a Friday night during Ramadan, in the year 40 of the Hijrah. He was either sixty-three or fifty-eight years old. There is some disagreement about his burial location.
Some, like Ibn Taymiyyah and Ibn Saad, believe he was buried in Kufa. Abdullah al-Ajli said the exact location in Kufa is unknown.
Abu Nu’aim thought he was initially buried in Kufa and later moved to Medina by his son, Imam Hasan. Ibrahim al-Harbi suggested that the precise location of his grave is unclear.
